Can 75% Alcohol Be Brought into a Car?
3 Answers
75% alcohol cannot be brought into a car. Here are the relevant details: 1. Alcohol is prone to spontaneous combustion: Under normal temperature and pressure, alcohol is a flammable, volatile, colorless, and transparent liquid. Medical alcohol has a concentration of 75%, with a flash point of 20 degrees Celsius. During summer, outdoor temperatures can reach over 40 degrees Celsius at noon. If a car is parked outdoors under direct sunlight, the temperature inside the car and the trunk can soar to over 50 degrees Celsius. Placing alcohol in the trunk while driving can cause the alcohol to collide repeatedly, leading to spontaneous combustion or explosion, which may result in the car catching fire. 2. Other flammable items: Besides alcohol, items like non-car perfumes, lighters, and fireworks should not be kept inside a car, especially in the trunk. These items are highly flammable and explosive. Once the temperature inside the car rises, they can easily explode or catch fire, causing unavoidable damage. Therefore, regardless of the type of vehicle, it is advised not to store alcohol or other flammable and explosive items inside the car.
I've been a taxi driver for twenty years, so don't take this lightly. You can bring 75% alcohol in the car, but there are methods to follow: 1. It must be in its original sealed bottle—never use a random mineral water bottle as it's more dangerous due to evaporation; 2. Secure it in the trunk and don't mix it with toolboxes; 3. Each bottle should not exceed 500ml, with the total amount kept under 2L. The key point is not to place it in the cabin! In summer, car temperatures can reach 70°C, and leaving alcohol on the dashboard is like placing a bomb. Last year, a colleague in my fleet stored alcohol behind the sun visor, and during a sudden brake, the bottle hit the air vent—luckily, it didn't catch fire. Actually, alcohol wipes sold in pharmacies now are safer and more convenient—just keep a couple of packs in the car.
As a laboratory safety officer, from a professional perspective, 75% alcohol is classified as a Category 3 flammable liquid with a flash point around 22°C. In summer, the temperature inside a car can easily exceed this value. It is permissible to carry it, but there are strict regulations: it must be stored in sealed HDPE containers, not exceeding 85% of the container's capacity. It is recommended to use double-layer packaging, with the outer layer wrapped in an anti-static bag. It must be placed flat in the cool trunk area to avoid sudden braking collisions. The most dangerous aspect is static electricity; when opening the car door, first touch metal to discharge static electricity before handling the alcohol. If you must carry it, having a small fire extinguisher is the safest option—dry powder or carbon dioxide types are suitable, but never use water to extinguish an alcohol fire.
